In the Beginning :
It takes a special kind of sock to make a monkey, a red heel sock! The first red heel socks were made by the Nelson Knitting Mills in 1932. The heel was designed to "to distinguish their product from the many imitators". It's not known exactly when the first monkey was created by crafters working away at home, but it was in 1951 that the company started enclosing sock monkey instructions with each pair of socks.Fox River Mills:
Fox River Mills, in business for over 100 years, purchased the assets of Nelson Knitting, which included the trademark for the Rockford Red Heel sock. The company still includes the pattern with each pair of socks sold, the pattern is also available on their web site.Sock Monkey Festival:
An annual Sock Monkey Madness Festival is held each year year in Rockford, Illinois.Sock Monkey Prices:
There are numerous manufactured items with the sock monkey character either as a logo, made of resin, glass, etc, but it's the traditional hand-made sock monkey which is near and dear to the hearts of collectors.I've found old sock monkeys in local flea markets and antique malls anywhere from $5. - $20. Because the monkeys are handcrafted, it's can be hard to put a value or price on them. The new handcrafted monkeys can be found in a variety of dress and outfits in numerous sites online. Prices can range from $25. up to hundreds of dollars for the large or very special monkeys.
Recent Online Prices:
- 48" Sock Monkey Pillow -- $64.
- 16" Girl Sock Monkey w/Blue Nelson Socks -- $61.
- Mr. Magorium Wonder Emporium Sock Monkey -- $56.
- 23" Fez wearing Sock Monkey -- $43.
- 19" Nelson-Stamped Monkey -- $42.
- 23" Old Pom-Pom Hat Monkey -- $41.
Make Your Own:
Get a free pattern to make your very own sock monkey from the company that has produced the famous red heel socks. Free patterns have been included with each pair of socks for over fifty years or if you have a pair of socks, just use this pattern on their web site.Around the Net:
Put Sock Monkey in Google and you'll get 1.2 million responses! Certainly enough to satisfy anyone looking to buy, create or find out more about Sock Monkeys. Here are few links I've enjoyed browsing.Bottom Line:
A sock monkey can bring a smile to anyone's face, no matter the age or gender. I've seen pictures of burly bikers with a sock monkey riding along side, as well as little kids clutching the soft animal. Many people remember a sock monkey they had in their childhood, usually made by mom or grandmother.Sock Monkeys have been photographed around the world and also have been used to bring hope to those in need of comfort.
Don't you need a sock monkey in your life?
More:
- Sock Monkey Ministries has given over 7500 monkeys away.
- Where in the World is Nate?
